The Fruit of Goryeoin Youths' Hard Work: A 'Green Gift' from Haenam

After working hard at a lettuce farm in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, young people from Goryeoin Village in Gwangju were deeply moved when an unexpected gift from the farm arrived in their community.

According to Goryeoin Village on June 23, the village sought to connect young people with jobs in May, after a downturn in the construction industry and a decrease in hiring at industrial complexes led to job shortages for youth.

Residents of the Goryeoin Village are sorting the lettuce that arrived from a farm in Haenam, preparing to share it with the village elders and neighbors. Provided by Goryeoin Village

At that time, when a farm owner in Haenam expressed a shortage of labor, Goryeoin Village quickly shared a recruitment notice through social media and GBS Goryeo Broadcasting. About 20 young people responded, and among them, 13 who demonstrated both physical strength and a willingness to work were dispatched to the site.

The young people began harvesting and sorting lettuce from early morning at the farm, where meals and lodging were provided. Although the labor was strenuous and the rural environment unfamiliar, the village reported that the sense of accomplishment they gained from working on their own was significant.

A month later, the Haenam farm sent a truckload of lettuce to Goryeoin Village. The farm owner said, "The young people worked so hard and were a tremendous help," adding, "This lettuce is a token of gratitude for their efforts."

The village carefully sorted the delivered lettuce and shared it with elders and vulnerable households. When Goryeoin volunteers delivering the produce explained, "This lettuce was harvested by our village youth," the residents who received the vegetables smiled warmly.

Goryeoin Village explained, "This lettuce was more than just a vegetable; it was a 'green gift' containing the sweat of our youth, the gratitude of the farm owner, and the solidarity of our community."

Shin Joya, head of Goryeoin Village, said, "During difficult times, I was once again reminded of how beautiful it is when someone's hard work fills another person's table," adding, "Our village will continue to serve as a warm bridge connecting young people and the local community."